Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland

Our Team

The staff of MI International are focused on international projects and consultancies, building strategic institutional partnerships, and international student recruitment and services. Learn more about the MI International team and our areas of expertise below:

Bill ChislettDirector

Bill Chislett is the director of Marine Institute International (MII), at the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland. His involvement in the international field has included experience in various countries on four continents over the past 15 years. Work and research experience has included assignments in sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, Asia and the Americas.

After several years overseas, Bill joined the Marine Institute in 1997 as an international program officer. In 2000, he accepted the position of director of MI International. Bill oversees strategic planning, project development, proposal writing, project management, and international contract negotiation. MII is currently engaged in projects in Asia, Europe, South America, sub-Saharan Africa, and the Caribbean.

Bill holds a master’s degree in international development from the University of East Anglia, a Bachelor of Arts (French and English/political science), a Bachelor of Education and a Bachelor of Physical Education from Memorial University.

Sonia HoInternational Student Coordinator

Sonia Ho* is the international student coordinator with MII. She provides support and a multitude of services to international students in MI programs, including answering inquiries prior to application, assisting in pre-arrival preparation and providing post-arrival support as students settle into life at MI and in Newfoundland In addition, Sonia liaises with faculty, administrators and senior management from various departments at Memorial University and partner institutions to administer scholarship programs in Canada and academic programs overseas.

Sonia has enjoyed a career in international education for more than a decade. She taught English to secondary students in Japan and has worked with post-secondary students, including exchange students, visiting students, diploma/degree seeking students and ESL learners from diverse cultural backgrounds during their pursuit of education in Canada.

Sonia holds a bachelor’s degree (Honours) in history and sociology and a post graduate certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) from the University of Toronto. During her undergraduate program, she studied for one year at the University of Nottingham in England as an exchange student.

*On leave from September-December 2019

Marlene PowerInternational Program Officer

Marlene Power is an international program officer with MII. A certified Project Management Professional (PMP), Marlene is currently focused on the acquisition and management of partnerships, projects, and consultancies in the Caribbean and Latin America. Since joining MI International, she has also supported business development, international mobility, and quality management initiatives, and has managed projects in Asia and Africa, including projects in Tanzania, Cambodia, and the Philippines.

Marlene began her career in the humanitarian sector, having worked with Doctors without Borders for three years in the Democratic Republic of Congo (logistics and administration), with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees in Turkey (gender issues), and as a consultant with Citizenship and Immigration Canada (refugee sponsorship, resettlement, and training). She has also taught English as a Second Language in South Korea, Japan and Quebec.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts (First Class Honours) in Political Science from St. Francis Xavier University, a Master of Arts in Political Studies (International Relations) from Queen's University, and a Master of Philosophy in Humanities from Memorial University.

MacKenzie YoungInternational Program Officer

MacKenzie Young is an international program officer with MII. Since starting at the Marine Institute, she has supported global business development, enhancement of internal processes, and a variety of international initiatives. MacKenzie’s current focus is the pursuit and management of projects, partnerships, and opportunities in South and Southeast Asia.

MacKenzie’s career has been focused in the fields of international education and project management, allowing her to build capacity in project planning and coordination, management of international mobility programs, and partnership development.

MacKenzie is a graduate from Memorial University’s Bachelor of Commerce (Co-operative) and Master of Business Administration programs, having focused her studies in the areas of international business, risk management, and marketing. During her undergraduate program, MacKenzie studied abroad at the ESDES Ecole de Management in Lyon, France. She has also completed a Certificate in International Development through the University of British Columbia.

Rebecca HeffertonInternational Program Officer

Rebecca Hefferton is an International Program Officer with MII. Her role includes the management of international mobility of students, graduates, and faculty overseas through various internships, work experiences, faculty attachments, and scholarship programs.

Rebecca's career includes experience in higher education, government, corporate and not-for-profit sectors in areas including: international mobility, international trade, business development, communications and corporate social responsibility. Most recently she has been an International Trade Officer for the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador and prior to joining MI International she worked in Development and Engagement at the Institute.

Rebecca has a Master of Business Administration from Memorial University and a Master of Arts in International Business from the British Open University System (Groupe École Supérieure de Commerce de Rennes, France).

Heather DicksInternational Program Officer

Heather Dicks is working as an international program officer with MII. She is currently responsible for managing international outbound mobility opportunities for faculty, staff and students. She also works on identifying and pursuing international business prospects for the institute.

Heather has been working internationally in project design and management in the field of international development for over 10 years. Throughout her career she has lived and worked in numerous countries around the globe, including working for the Canadian government in Afghanistan, Zimbabwe and Canada; the United Nations in the US, Switzerland and South Sudan; and several international non-governmental organizations in Thailand, Haiti, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Niger and Egypt.

Heather holds a Master’s Degree in Globalization and International Development from the University of Ottawa and a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science (International Relations) from Carleton University.